Romania's Ice Hotel Opens Despite Winter Warmth

There is less snow and ice than usual for this season, but for the 11th consecutive year the Hotel of Ice in Romania's Carpathian Mountains has opened its doors as scheduled, just after Christmas.

Two-metre bricks made of ice taken from a nearby lake, as well as moulds, water and snow have been used to erect the intriguing-looking hotel, the only one of its type in Southeastern Europe.

The advantage of a temporary structure is that it evolves each year. So, this winter the builders chose to create 14 rooms that they have named after European states and cities. "La Maison Parisienne" includes a translucent ice sculpture of Napoleon, while "The British Room" has one of Shakespeare.  

There are also several separate igloos.

While room temperatures dip below zero and the walls and bed frames are made of ice, the rooms offer traditional mattresses and expedition-style sleeping bags along with loaned outerwear to keep the guests warm.

The prospect of an icy holiday has not put visitors off. "All rooms are fully booked for the holiday season, with most tourists coming from the UK, Germany and Romania," says Lidia Badila, the hotel's spokesperson.

There is also a restaurant and a bar at the Hotel of Ice.

A stay costs some cold, hard cash, as prices range from 440 lei (almost 100 euro) per night for a double room, to 660 lei for accomodation in an igloo.

Last season, the Hotel of Ice was open until the beginning of April 2015, by which time it had received about 5,000 visitors and guests.

The most famous building of this type is Sweden's 55-room "Ice Hotel", in the tiny village of Jukkasjarvi. Hand carved out of 4,000 tons of ice and snow harvested from a nearby river, the hotel has a unique design every year.